Pathfinders of Oregon Provides Shoes to Children Through Payless Gives™ Shoes 4 Kids Program

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Pathfinders of Oregon and Payless ShoeSource give children new shoes.

Family receives free shoes

Portland, OR (PRWEB)April 21, 2014

Payless GivesTM Shoes 4 Kids, an annual giving program from Payless ShoeSource honored Pathfinders of Oregon with a grant for the second year. Pathfinders is among multiple charitable non-profit organizations representing all 50 US states, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and 11 Latin American countries who received grants to help families buy new shoes for their children.

The Payless GivesTM Shoes 4 Kids grant has helped families throughout the year at several family shopping events. Many families chose to shop during the holiday season and participated in a group shopping trip to the Lloyd Center Payless ShoeSource store in Portland. Children ranging in age from tots to young teens enjoyed picking out new shoes. Choices ranged from boots for older children to tiny tennis shoes for toddlers. Grateful parents appreciated the opportunity to do something fun and good for their kids. For some families it was the first time every child in the family had new shoes at the same time.

In addition to the holiday shopping trip, other group shopping events for families were held during the year. In total, 100 $20 vouchers were given to families to purchase shoes for their children.

Pathfinders’ Center for Family Success operates in three locations in the Rockwood neighborhood of East Multnomah County. The Center has been providing services to families impacted by the criminal justice system since 2005. Services include helping families meet immediate needs for food and housing, parenting and early childhood support programs, employment assistance, family activities and advocacy. The Center works with families who have a parent in prison, jail or on parole or probation, helping them reunite and build successful lives.

In 2013, the Center for Family Success started its Rockwood Intercultural Student Experience (RISE) program for youth at risk for gang involvement. RISE students receive tutoring, homework support and participate in arts and sports activities after school.

2013 is the sixth year of the Payless GivesTM Shoes 4 Kids program. Although studies show that properly fitting shoes are important for children’s health and development, a striking number of children don’t own a pair of shoes that fit. Payless ShoeSource is working to remedy that problem here in Oregon.

ABOUT PATHFINDERS OF OREGON
Pathfinders of Oregon is a 501(c) 3 organization whose mission is to break the cycle of criminality. Pathfinders has taught programs within the Oregon Department of Corrections for more than 20 years. In the community it offers programs to families impacted by the criminal justice system and youth at risk for gang involvement through its Center for Family Success in Rockwood.